## **ASHTON ALMSHOUSE CHARITY Charity Reg. No. 200349** 

## **Trustees Annual Report for the period 1[st] April 2020 to 31[st] March 2021** 

## **Charity Address:** 

Association of Dunstable Charities Grove House, 76 High Street North, Dunstable, Bedfordshire. 

LU6 1NF 

## **Trustees for the period 1[st] April 2020to 31[st] March 2021** 

## **Ex Officio:** 

Rector of Dunstable    - Rev’d Rachel Phillips 

## **Representative Governors Dunstable Town Council:** 

Cllr Mr Peter Hollick 

Cllr Mr Alan Corkhill 

## **Co-optative Governors:** 

Mrs Cynthia Gresham Mrs Elizabeth Bentley 

Mr Alan Salter 

## **Chairman:** 

Mrs Cynthia Gresham 

## **Clerk to the Governors:** 

Mrs Julie Tipler 

## **Charity Structure, Governance and Management:** 

**Governing document:** Trust Foundation under scheme framed by will dated 30[th] March 1885, and Charities Act 1960.  Amended and updated by Trustees in 2012. 

## **Trustee Selection Methods:** 

**One ex officio** – Incumbent of the benefice of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Dunstable 

**Two Nominative Trustees** – Appointed by Dunstable Town Council 

**Four Co-optative Trustees** – Appointed by resolution of the Trustees. 



## **Objectives and Activities** 

Maintenance and upkeep of the Frances Ashton Almshouses and the gardens and help towards energy and other costs for residents. Concern for the welfare of the six residents. 

## **Achievements and Performance in the past year** 

Trustees inspect all the flats in the Almshouse and grounds annually. Due to the continuing Covid-19 pandemic, this has not been carried out. Residents are visited regularly and the Chairman/Clerk make regular visits throughout the year. The gardens have been transformed and all residents are very happy with the results and have been enjoying socialising together in the garden during these tough times. 

Our biggest achievement this year was the complete refurbishment of one of the flats. This was carried out when the resident left and was completed in December and a new tenant moved in at the beginning of January and is very happy. 

A secure bike shed was purchased at a resident’s request. Annual maintenance has been completed and the boiler system will be updated next year. 

## **Finances** 

Buildings and grounds are the main asset. Money is invested and only the interest is used for grants, day to day running costs, administration and refurbishments.  Other income is obtained from the rent from residents **.** 

**Mrs Julie Tipler Clerk to the Charity 14[th] December 2021**